General [Pictures!] Panda based kitcar. Part Deux.

[akumabito]

Ok, so I've got the information CD from Dart Cars, and I must say I'm a bit disappointed.. the front looks pretty cool, and the rear is pretty neat too, but from the side it's terrible, the windscreen is too tall..

Plus, it's way too expensive for what you get.. really, you guys have a looky at it, it can't possibly be worth 3495 pound? I've seen many nice little kits for far less.. (Dooster / Pembleton / Burton for example...)

 

[HP]

Looks like a baby TVR S from the back, and something like a Jim Henson creature from the front. I don't mind the side profile, think it looks quite good really.

Interior scheme is sadly lacking in imagination, you could design something far better than that. That mottley blue has to go, and the oddly trimmed beige dash needs work - and more (or bigger) gauges to fill it up.

With TLC could make a nice little car. A tuned 1242 would make it go like stink, too

 

[akumabito]

Yeah, that's what I thought as well, before they announced their prices.. had it been my choice, I wouldn't even bother with the windscreen (thinks it looks ugly), I would've fitted a much lower aeroscreen..

But indeed, a 1242 16V with multipoint injection should be NICE! I believe those engines are available up to 70-something HP? Plus they could be mated to a 6-speed gearbox for that real sportscar feel..

Still, it's too expensive..

EDIT: Also, those gauges are juuuuust a bit optimistic, don;t you think? A 140 MPH speedometer in a Panda based car?

 

[Steven]

Can't say I like the thoughts of killing a Panda for that!

 

[firefly]

I've got one of these, but its called an Onyx Firefly. Mine is panda based, but fitted with a 8v 1242 Punto engine, Weber carb and a tubular manifold. They are great to drive (I think the weight was about 510Kg), but a nightmare to use in bad weather as neither the hardtop or softtop are not particularly watertight. If you could find an old Onyx kit it should be alot cheaper, they turn up on eBay from time to time (as well as the Uno based Firecat: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=29750&item=4509993106&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW )

 

[Martiny10]

Can't shake the feeling the engine is the wrong way round!

Brake fluid reservior and battery have been swapped over.

And don't mention the spare wheel!

I don't like cars with one wingmirror, you don't realise you miss it till it's gone.

 

[akumabito]

Hey firefly, I actually like the looks of that Firecat better than the firefly! I like that big "smile"... it's pretty cheap too, not bad at all (if only I could afford to actually spend some money on a new car at the moment....)

 

[Steven]

Not keen on the Uno one either.

 

[firefly]

I've posted some pictures of my firefly in the members gallery section as being new to the forum I can't work out how to post them here....
It would be great if someone did decide do build one, I've never seen another in all the time I've had mine.

 

[Steven]

Now yours is much nicer than the one above. The wood in the dash looks well and the colour/interior trim is better. It certainly is an unusual beast!

 

[fuoriserie]

I've posted some pictures of my firefly in the members gallery section as being new to the forum I can't work out how to post them here....
It would be great if someone did decide do build one, I've never seen another in all the time I've had mine.

Yours looks real nice.

 

[CLXCraig]

i have never seen a 6 year old thread ressurection before.

 

[alexbpl]

haha my Panda tops out at 115mph and it's shaped like a shed.....140 might be achieveable you never know!

3K is quite steep though.

Is the body fiberglass? If so it would be pretty quick with a 1.2 16v. My Panda weighs 720kg and has with the 1242 16v engine @ 96bhp and the 0-60 is around 8 seconds. If this thing weighs less than 600kg it could be pretty quick!

edit

Holy crap 6 years! lol

The company has probably (definately) gone bust by now

 

[panda1408]

The company has probably (definately) gone bust by now

You'd be wrong, by the looks of there site you can still buy a kit new

http://www.alphax-kitcars.com/Firefly_UK.php

 

[alexbpl]

You'd be wrong, by the looks of there site you can still buy a kit new

http://www.alphax-kitcars.com/Firefly_UK.php

LOL you cant be serious!

The windscreen on these things has got to over than 90 degrees upright lol

Fair play to them though for keeping the company afloat. The Panda based kit must be common somewhere else in the world.

Maybe they're treated like Ferrari's somewhere like Uganda

-Edit-

"
With great driving qualities the Firefly reacts like a true sportscar, both on the handling, acceleration and driving pleasure. "

 

[CLXCraig]

ALPHAX never originally owned the rights to the firefly. they still make it but i think its based on a new panda.

they do one called the firecat too i think, based on uno. fibreglass body+UT lump= win

 

[unclespevie]

Hi all, well just to add that i actually purchased the prototype of the firefly from Mr David Golightly himself(pick it up thursday 4th aug 2011) and hope fully getting the designs as well plus any other documentation he has for this car.

will be doing a full strip n build on this seeing as there is not much to the car at all.

will do a picture book on the strip n build for your amusement LOL.

thanks

kevin

PS, any one near west yorkshire that has one ??